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3T*?5 



HISTORY AND EVIDENCE 



PASSAGE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN 



MajTislbmirgl, Pa., to Wasliegtoai, B. €, 



/ 






ON THE 



22d AND 23d OF FEBRUARY, 1861. 



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Republican Print, 93 W 



hingtou Street, Chicago. 






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."Fes 



ALLAN PINKERTON, Principal. GEO. H. BANGS, General Sup't. 

OFFICES : 



CHICAGO: 92 & 94 Washington Street, 

G. H. Thiel, Superintendent. 

NEW YOKE : No. 66 Exchange Place, 

J. P. Lloyd, Superintendent. 



PHILADELPHIA : 45 South Third Street, 

H. E. Thatek, Superintendent. 

CLARENCE A. SEWARD, 

Att'y and Counsel for the Agency, 

No. 29 Nassau St., NEW YORK 



To the People of the United Sta^ 



NATIONAL POLICE AGENCY, ) 

92 & 91 Washington St., Chicago, Jan. 8, 1868. ) 

The question of the passage of Mr. Lincoln, on the night of the 
22d of February, 1861, from Harrisburg, Penn., to Washington, 
D. C, the Capitol of the United States, is one of marked interest 
in history, and one upon which the people of this country, and 
the world, ought to have correct information. Hitherto I have 
kept silent upon this subject, and probably might have continued 
so much longer, but that historians are now writing up the import- 
ant events of the last seven years — a period the most exciting in 
the life-time of this Nation — up to the present stage of its exist- 
ence, and I deem it proper to lay the following brief statement 
before the public in connection with this event. I am induced, 
moreover, to take this step from the fact of the publication, in the 
second volume of Lossing's History of the War of the Kebellion, 
of a letter from John A. Kennedy, Esq., Superintendent of the 
Metropolitan Police of New York City, dated New York, August 



13, 1867, in which Mr. Kennedy speaks of the acts of himself and 
his detective force, in discovering the plot for the assassination of 
President Lincoln, on his passage through Baltimore, dn routt to 
Washington, for inauguration as President. This letter has had 
bo wide a circulation in the press of the United States that it will 
be unnecessary for me to insert the whole of it here. I merely 
desire to call attention to the following words: 

" I know nothing of any connection of Mr. Pinkcrton with the 
matter." 

That is to say, Mr. Kennedy knew nothing of my connection 
with the passage of Mr. Lincoln from Harrisburg, via Philadelphia, 
to Washington, on the 22d of February, lSUl. In this respect, 
Mr. Kennedy spoke the truth: he did not know of my connection 
with the passage of Mr. Lincoln, nor was it my intention that he 
should know of it. Secrecy is the one thing most necessary to the 
success of the detective, and when a secret is to be kept, the 
fewer who know of it the better. It was unnecessary tor Mr. 
Kennedy to know of my connection with that passage, and hence 
he was not apprised of it. I am aware thai Mi-. Kennedy i> a 
loyal man. and li;i> done much service tor the Union cause; but it 
was not necessary that every Unionist should be informed that 
Mr. Lincoln was about to make an important movement. Therefore, 
the Becrel was imparted only to those whom it was necessary 

Should know it. With this preface, my statement will he brief. 

Ahoiit the middle of January, L861, 1 was in Philadelphia, and 
had an interview on other matters with S. M. Felton, Esq., at that 
time Presidenl of the I'll i lade 1 j >h ia, Wilmington and Baltimore 
Railroad, in which Mr. Felton mentioned that he had suspicions 
that the secessionists of .Maryland were hound to injure his road, 

either by destroying the ferry-boal which carried the train- across 
the Susquehanna River at Havre de Grace, or by the destruction 
of the railroad bridges over the Gunpowder River and other 
Btreams. Mi'. Felton felt very desirous to protect his road from 
injury or obstruction by the " secessionists," as they were ai that 

time railed, hut afterwards more familiarly known as "rebels," 

who wen- then busily engaged in plotting the treason w 
shortly afterward- culminated in open rebellion. Mi - . Felton well 
knew that the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad 



was the only connecting link between the great commercial 
emporium of the United States and the Capitol of the Nation, and 
appreciated fully the necessity of keeping that link unbroken. He 
desired that I would consider the matter fully, and, promising to 
do so, I returned to my home in Chicago. 

On the 27th of January, 1861, I wrote to Mr. Felton my views 
upon this subject. They were not given in connection with seces- 
sion, but as to what detective ability might do to discover the 
plots and plans of those who might be contemplating the destruc- 
tion of any portion of this great and important link between New 
York and Washington. 

On the 30th of January, I received a telegram from Mr. Felton, 
requesting me to come to Philadelphia, and take with me such of 
my force as might be necessary, with a view to commencing the 
detective operations to which I had alluded in my letter to him 
of the 27th. 

On the 1st of February, 1861, I accordingly left Chicago with 
such of my detective force, male and female, as I thought adequate 
for the purpose required. We duly arrived in Philadelphia, and 
after consultation with Messrs. Felton and Stearns, of the Phila- 
delphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad, I repaired with my 
force to Baltimore, and there established my headquarters. 

While engaged in the investigations spoken of, as relating to 
the safety ot the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Rail- 
road track, myself and detectives accidentally acquired the knowl- 
edge that a plot was in existence for the assassination of Mr. 
Lincoln on his passage through Baltimore to Washington to be 
inaugurated as President. The plot was well conceived, and would, I 
am convinced, have been effective for the purpose designed. This 
information was acquired by me while in the service of the Phila- 
delphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad, who were paying 
me for my services, and although I felt impelled by my sense of 
duty, and my long friendship for Mr. Lincoln, (we both being old 
citizens of Illinois,) to impart the same to him, yet, knowing the 
loyalty of Mr. Felton, I desired his acquiescence in doing so. I 
accordingly imparted the information of the plot to Mr. Stearns, 
and through him to Mr. Felton, and received from both those 
gentlemen the authority to impart the facts to Hon. Norman B. 



Judd, the warm and intimate personal friend of Mr. Lincoln, who 
was accompanying the President elect on the tour from Springfield 
to Washington. 

Nothing further, I believe, is necessary from myself on this 
affair, as the evidence which accompanies this statement is all that 
is necessary to show how far I speak truthfully. It would be 
egotistical on my part to parade before the public my acts. I hold 
proofs, in addition to those, which are now furnished to the public, 
in my possession. A few words more, and those only in relation 
to one who is now dead, a martyr to the cause of the Union, who 
lies in unhallowed soil. 

" Unwept, unhouored and unsung." 

I allude to Timothy Webster, one of my detective force, who 
accompanied me upon this eventful occasion. lie served faithfully- 
as a detective amongst the secessionists of Maryland, and acquired 
many valuable and important secrets. He, amongsl all of the 
force who went with me, deserves the credit of saving the lite of 
Mr. Lincoln, even more than I do. He was a native of Princeton, 
New Jersey, a life-long democrat, but he felt and realized, with 
Jackson, that the [Jnion must and should be preserved, lie con- 
tinued in my detective service, and after I assumed charge of the 
aecrel Bervice of the Army of the Potomac, under Major General 
M<-( Slellan, Mr. Webster was most of the time within the rebel 
lines. True, be was called a spy, and martial law Bays that a spy, 
when convicted, Bhall die. Still spies are necessary in war, ever 
nave been and ever will be. Timothy Wehster was arrested in 
Richmond, and upon the testimony of members of a secesh family 
in Washington, named Levi, for whom 1 had done Borne acts ^\ 
kindness, be was convicted as a spy, and executed by order of 
Jefferson Davis, on the 30th of April. L862. Hi- name is unknown 
to fame; bul few were truer or more devoted to the I nion cause 
than was Timothy Webster. 

With this Btatement, I herewith Bubjoin the following letters, 
which are proof of my participation in the passage of Mr. Lincoln 
from Elarrisburg, via Philadelphia, to Washington, on the aighl 
of the 22d of February, L861. As I have before said, it was 
unnecessary thai Mr. Kennedj should know aught of the movemenl 
that was going on, and 1 did not advise him of it ; although I am 



informed that he was on the same train and occupied the third 
berth in the same sleeping car from that where Mr. Lincoln lay- 
on that eventful night of his passage to Washington from 
Philadelphia. 

ALLAN PINKERTON. 



MR. LINCOLN'S STATEMENT. 

Extract from Lossincfs History of the War, Vol. I, Page Q78. 

"Mr. Judd, a warm personal friend from Chicago, sent for me 
to come to his room (at the Continental Hotel, Philadelphia, Feb. 
21st.) I went, and found there Mr. Pinkerton, a skillful police 
detective, also from Chicago, who had been employed for some 
clays in Baltimore, watching or searching for suspicious persons 
there. Pinkerton informed me that a plan had been laid for my 
assassination, the exact time when I expected to go through 
Baltimore being publicly known. He was well informed as to 
the plan, but did not know that the conspirators would have pluck 
enough to execute it. He urged me to go right through with him 
to Washington that night. I didn't like that. I had made engage- 
ments to visit Harrisburg, and go from there to Baltimore, and I 
resolved to do so. I could not believe that there was a plot to 
murder me. I made arrangements, however, with Mr. Judd for 
my return to Philadelphia the next night, if I should be convinced 
that there was danger in going through Baltimore. I told him 
that if I should meet at Harrisburg, as I had at other places, a 
delegation to go with me to the next place (Baltimore,) I should 
feel safe and go on. When I was making my way back to my 
room, through crowds of people, I met Frederick Seward. We 
went together to my room, when he told me that he had been 
sent, at the instance of his father and General Scott, to inform me 
that their detectives in Baltimore had discovered a plot there to 
assassinate me. They knew nothing of Mr. Pinkerton's move- 
ments. I now believed such a plot to be in existence." 



LETTEES 



Letter of S. M. Felton, Esq. 

TnriiLOW, Dec. 31st, 1867. 
Allan Fjnkkktox, Esq. 

Dew Sir : In answer to your inquiries as to your agency in ferretingout 
the plot to assassinate Mr. Lincoln, on his firsl journey to Wasnington, and in 
aiding him on hisjournej to the Capitol, prior to his inauguration in 1861, I have 
to say, thai early in thai year, and while I was Presidenl of the Philadelphia, 
Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad, I employed you as a detective to ascertain the 
truth or falsity of certain rumors t hat had conic to my ear as to the designs of the 
secessionists upon our road. etc. I told you only a part of the minors that 1 had 
heard, only sunlcienl to pul you on the track. You employed a force of some 
eighl or nine assistants, and among other things, made certain to my mind that 
there was a thoroughly matured plol to assassinate the Presidenl elect, on his 
journey to Washington. A tier which 1 met you at a hotel, in Philadelphia, on 
the evening of Mr. Lincoln's arrival there, in company with Mr. Judd, Mr. Lin 
coin's intimate friend, whin the whole plot was made known to him. After 
which M r. Lincoln was seen bj you and Mr. Judd, and made acquainted with all 
the facts. Hi- declined to go to Washington in our sleeping car that night, as «;i> 
my advice, bu1 said thai after going to Earrisburg the next daj he would pul 
himself in our hands, it vvas then arranged that he should be broughl from 
Barrisburg to Philadelphia the next nighl bj special train, and then go to 
Washington by our nighl line in the Bleeping car, accompanied bj yourself and 
one or two of his friends. The telegraph lines in all directions were cut, so thai 
do tidings of bis movements could be sent from Harrisburg, and all was carried 
out successfully. 

In all thi -■ movements you were the onlj detective employed by me. and the 
ouU one who was conversanl with Mr. Lincoln's movements, so far a- I knew. 
All tin- movements of the train, in which Mr. Lincoln went from Philadelphia, 
wen- under my directions, and no other detective than yourself had am eon 
nection with them in anj way, unless it mighl have been as an ordinary 

¥bu certainlj were the only one, who gave me any information upon the sub 
ject, or who had anything to do with the planning of the journey, or who had 
accompanied Mr. Lincoln, as a di tectivc offlo r, and m n*i guard. 

\h Q-eorgi Bt< irns, then lioadmaster, and Mr. William Stearns, then Super 
intendent, went with you, one to Baltimore, and the other from Baltimore to 

'lile.'loii. 
I have written a full aCCOUnl of the event', prior to Mr. Lincoln's lirst journey, 
of I In jour lie \ Itself, and of I he e\eiil- i uiinediatel \ BUbseqUCnl to the same, for Mr. 

i detailed therein more ftUlj the part you had in them all, and 

] j. 1 1 i you to thai when published for all the particulars. 

Xoura truly, 8. ML PELTON. 



f 

Letter of Hon. N. B. judd. 

Chicago, III., Nov. 3d, 1867. 
Mr. Allan Pinkerton, 

Sir : Yours of the 31st ult., enclosing a letter of Mr. Kennedy to Mr. 
Lossing, relating to the conspiracy to assassinate Mr. Lincoln on his passage 
through Baltimore in February 18(51, and printed in the second volume of Mr. 
Lossing's "History of the War," I found on my table last evening, on my return 
from the country. Notwithstanding the various publications in the papers, pur- 
porting to give accounts of that matter, some of which were grossly inaccurate, I 
have refrained from publishing anything in relation thereto ; but the historian is 
making a permanent record, and I cannot, in justice to you, refuse to make a 
statement of the facts, within my personal knowledge. 

As j'ou suggest, I was one of the party who accompanied Mr. Lincoln from 
Spring-held to Washington. When the party reached Cincinnati, I received a 
letter from you, dated at Baltimore, stating that there was a plot on foot to 
assassinate Mr. Lincoln on his passage through that city, and that you would 
communicate further as the party progressed Eastward. 

Knowing that you were at that point, with your detective force, for the pur- 
pose of protecting the Philadelphia and Baltimore Railroad against the attempt 
by the traitors to destroy the same, the information thus sent made a deep 
impression upon me, but to avoid causing anxiety on the part of Mr. Lincoln, or 
any of the party, I kept this information to myself. At Buffalo I received a 
second brief note from you saying that the evidence was accumulating. No further 
communication on that subject was received until we arrived in the City of New 
York. In the evening of the day of our arrival at the Astor House, a servant came 
to my room, and informed me, that there was a lady in No. , who wished to see 
me. Gen. Pope was in my room at the time. I followed the servant to one of 
the upper rooms of the hotel, where, upon entering, I found a lady seated at a 
table with some papers before her. She arose as I entered and said, " Mr. Judd I 
presume," and I responded "Yes, madam," and she handed me a letter from you, 
introducing her as Mrs. Warne, superintendent of the female detective department 
of your police force. She stated that you did not like to trust the mail in so 
important a matter, and that she had been sent to arrange for a personal inter- 
view between yourself and me, at which all the proofs relating to the conspiracy 
could be submitted to me. It w^as accordingly arranged that immediately after the 
arrival of the party in Philadelphia, you should notify me at what place I should 
meet you. I informed her that I should be in the carriage with Mr. Lincoln 
from 'the depot to the Continental Hotel. During this interview with Mrs. 
Warne, Col. E. S. Sanford, President of the American Telegraph Company called, 
and Mrs. Warne introduced him to me. He showed me a letter from you to him, 
relating to this affair, and tendered me the use of his lines for any communication 
I might have to make, and also his personal service if needed. 

At Philadelphia, while riding from the depot to the hotel, in the carriage 
with Mr. Lincoln, a file of policeman being on each side of the carriage, I saw a 
young man walking on the outside of the line of policemen who was evidently 
trying to attract my attention. At about the corner of Broad and Chestnut 
streets the young man crowded through the line of policemen nearly upsetting 
two of them, came to the side of the carriage and handed me a piece of paper 
on which was written, " St. Louis Hotel, ask for J. H. Hutchinson." I afterwards 
ascertained that this messenger was Mr. Burns, one of Col. Sanford's telegraphic 
force. _ , 

Immediately after the arrival of the carriage at the Continental I went to the 
St Louis Hotel, and being shown up to Hutchinson's room I found you and Mr. 
S. M. Felton, President of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad 
Company, tooether awaiting my arrival. An hour and more was spent in 
examining and analyzing the proofs upon which you based your belief in the 
plot, and the result was a perfect conviction, on the part of Mr. Felton and myself, 
that the plot was a reality, aud that Mr. Lincoln's safety required him to proceed 



8 

Ishrngton that evening in the eleven o'clock train. I expressed the opinion 
that .Mr. Lincoln would not .go that night, but I proposed that you should 
immediately accompany me to the Continental Hotel, and lav the proofs before 
Mr. Lincoln, as he was an old acquaintance and friend of yours, and to my 
knowledge bad occasion before this time to tesl your reliability and prudence. 
On proceeding to the hotel we (bund the people assembled in such masses that 
our only means of entrance was through the rear by the servant's door. We 

went to my room, which was on the same floor with the ladies' parlor, and sent 

for Mr. Lincoln. Be was then in one of the large parlors, surrounded by ladies 
and gentlemen. 1 think Mr. Nicolay, his private secretary, look the message to 
him. Mr. Lincoln came to my room, forcing his way through the crowd, and all 
the proofs and facts were laid before him in detail, he canvassing them and 
subjecting you to a thorough cross-examination. After this had been done, I 
stated to him the conclusion to which .Mr. Felton, yourself and myself had 
arrived. "Hut," 1 added, "the proofs that have now been laid before you cannot 
be published" as it would involve the lives of Several of Mr. Pinkerton's force, 
and especially that of poor Tim Webster, who was then serving in a rebel 
cavalry company, under drill at Perrymans, in Maryland I further remarked to 
Mr. Lincoln, " if you follow the course suggested — of proceeding to Washington 
tonight — you will necessarily be subjected to the scoffs and sneers of your ene- 
mies, and the disapproval of your friends, who cannot be made to believe in the 
existence of mi desperate a plot." 

Mr. Lincoln replied, that lie "appreciated these suggestions," but that he 
"could stand anything that was necessary." Then rising from his seat, he said 
"I cannot go to-night. 1 have promised to raise the flag over Independence 
Hall to-morrow morning, and to visit the Legislature al Barrisburg ; beyond that 
I have no engagements. Any plan that may be adopted, that will enable me to 
fulfill these two promises 1 u ill carry out, and you can tell me what is concluded 
upon to-morrow." Mr. Lincoln then left the room, without any apparent 
agitation. During this interview CoL Ward H. Lamon entered the room, but 

left immediately. A few minutes after, Mr. Henry Sanford, as the representative 
of (ol. E. S. Sanford, President of the American Telegraph Co., came into the 
room. You then left for the purpose of finding Thomas A. Scott, Esq., Vice- 
President of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, and also to notify .Mr. Felton, 
who was waiting a1 the La Pierre Bouse, your report of theinterview with Mr. 

incoln. 

About twelve o'clock you returned, bringing with you Mr. <;. c. Franciscus, 
General Manager of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, Baying that you were 
not able to find Mr. Scott, who was out of town. 

A lull discussion of the entire matter was had between US, the party con 
sisting of Mr. Franciscus, Mr. Sanford, yourself and myself Alter all the con 
tingencies that could be imagined had been discussed the following programme 

adopted: That after the reception at Barrisburg, a special train should 
leave the latter place :it -.i\ p. m., consisting of a baggage car and one passenger 
car to convey Mr. Lincoln and one companion back to Philadelphia; that, that 
train was to he under the control of .Mr. Franciscus and Mr. Enoch Lewis, 
General Superintendent ; that the track was to be chared of everything between 
Barrisburg and Philadelphia from half past Ave until after the pa— age of the 

ii train; thai Mr. Felton should detain the eleven o'clock p. m. Baltimore 
train until ihe arrival of the special train from Barrisburg; thai tin. Warn 
should ' ii M ■■>■ bertha in the sleeping car hound for Baltimore; that you should 
meet Mr. Lincoln with a carriage at West Philadelphia, on the arrival of the 

.1 train, and carry aim to the Baltimore train; that Mr. Sanford was to 
make it perfect!} certain thai no telegraphic m liould pa— over the wires 

from i\ o'clock the next evening until Mr. Lincoln e arrival ra Washington was 
known; thai Ward 11. Lamon nould accompany Mr. Lincoln. 

l>o ed po ible contingency was discussed and re-discussed, and the 
part) eparated al halt pa i four thai morning; to < arry oul the prog ramme agreed 
upon. At lx thai i him • Mr Lincoln fulfilled his promise bj raising the flag 



over Independence Hall, and I have always believed that the tinge of sadness 
which pervaded his remarks on that occasion, and the reference to sacrificing 
himself for his country, were induced by the incidents of the night preceding. 

Later in the morning — and I think about eight o'clock — Mr. Lincoln sent for 
me to come to his room. I went and found Mr. Frederick H. Seward with Mr. 
Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln said to me that Mr. Seward had been sent from 
Washington by his father to warn him of danger in passing through 
Baltimore, and to urge him to come directly to Washington. I do 
not think that Mr. Seward stated to me the facts upon which his 
father's convictions were founded, but the knowledge, that from an entirely 
independent line of testimony to that which you had furnished the pre- 
ceding night, had led Gov. Seward to the same conclusion, that there was danger, 
strengthened my own convictions of the propriety of the course marked out. I 
told Mr. Seward that he could say to his father that all had been arranged, and 
that so far as human foresight could predict, Mr. Lincoln would be in Washing- 
ton at 6 a. m. the next day, that he understood the absolute necessity for secrecy 
in the matter. I do not think I gave him any of the details, but I am not posi- 
tive on that point. 

After the train left Philadelphia for Harrisburg, and as soon as I could get a 
word with Mr. Lincoln alone, I told him the proposed plan of operations, and 
that I felt exceedingly the responsibility, as no member of the party had been 
informed of anything connected with the matter, and that it was due to the gen- 
tlemen of the party that they should be advised with and consulted in so impor- 
tant a step. It is proper to add, that Col. Lamon, Mr. Nicolay and Col. Ells- 
worth knew that something was on foot, but very judiciously refrained from ask- 
ing questions. To the above suggestion Mr. Lincoln assented, adding, " I reckon 
they will laugh at us Judd, but you had better get them together." It was 
arranged that after the reception at the State House, and before dinner, the mat- 
ter should be fully laid before the following gentlemen of the party : Judge 
David Davis, Col. Sumner, Major David Hunter, Capt. John Pope, Ward H. 
Lamon and John G. Nicolay. 

The meeting thus arranged took place in the parlor of the hotel, Mr. Lincoln 
being present. The facts were laid before them by me, together with the details 
of the proposed plan of action. There was a diversity of opinion and some warm 
discussion, and I was subjected to a very rigid cross-examination. Judge Davis, 
who had expressed no opinion, but contented himself with asking rather pointed 
questions, turned to Mr. Lincoln, who had been listening to the whole discus- 
sion, and said, " Well, Mr. Lincoln, what is your own judgment upon this mat- 
ter V" Mr. Lincoln replied, " I have thought over this matter considerably since 
I went over the ground with Pinkerton last night. The appearance of Mr. 
Frederick Seward, with warning from another source, confirms my belief in Mr. 
Pinkerton's statement. U nless there are some other reasons, beside fear of ridicule, 
I am disposed to carry out Judd's plan." Judge Davis then said, " That settles the 
matter, gentlemen." Col. Sumner said, "So be it, gentlemen. It is against my 
judgment, but I have undertaken to go to Washington with Mr. Lincoln and I 
shall do it." I tried to convince him that every additional person added to the 
risk, but the spirit of the gallant old soldier was up, and debate was useless. 

The party separated about four p. m., the others to go to the dinner table, and 
myself to go to the railroad station and the telegraph office. At a quarter to six, 
I was back at the hotel, and Mr. Lincoln was still at the table. In a few moments 
the carriage drove up to the side door of the hotel. Either Mr. Nicolay or Mr. 
Lamon called Mr. Lincoln from the table. He went to his room, changed his dinner 
dress for a traveling suit, and came down with a soft hat sticking in his pocket, 
and his shawl on his arm. As the party passed through the hall, I said in a low 
tone, " Lamon, go ahead. As soon as Mr. Lincoln is in the carriage drive off. 
The crowd must not be allowed to identify him." Mr. Lamon went first to the 
carriage. Col. Sumner was following close after Mr. Lincoln. I put my hand 
gently on his shoulder. He turned round to see what was wanted, and before I 
had time to explain, the carriage was off. The situation was a little awkward, to 



in 

use no stronger terras, for a few moments. I said to the Colonel, " When we get 
to Washington Mr. Lincoln shall determine what apology is due to you." Mr. 
Franciscus and Mr. Lewis, in charge of that special train, took Mr. Lincoln and 
Mr. Lamon safely to West Philadelphia, and at that station yon met them with 
a carriage and took them to the Baltimore train, and .Air. Lincoln immediately 
retired to his berth in the sleeping car. Xo one bul the persons herein named, 
not even bis family, knew when- Mr. Lincoln was, until the next morning's tele- 
graph announced thai lie was in Washington. To get away from questioning, I 
went to my room about nine o'clock and staid there until about one, when a 
despatch reached me from Philadelphia savin-' that to thai point all was right. 

M i'. Kennedy can test the accuracy ol these facts, a- to whom credit is due for 
arranging for the safety of .Mr. Lincoln, by reference to the gentlemen named 
herein, and I have purposely given these ill detail so that any doubting person 
can verify or contradict tliem. 

( )n our journey to Washington I had seen how utterly helpless the party 
were, even amongst friends and with a loyal police force, a- (Jen. Hunter had 
his shoulders broken in Buffalo in the crowd and jam. 

The same spirit that slaughtered the Massachusetts soldiers at Baltimore; 
that laid low, by the hand of an assassin, thai great and good man at the com- 
mencement of his second term, had prepared to do thai deed to prevent bis first 
inauguration, and I know that the first warning of danger that .Mr. Lincoln 
received came from you, and that his passage, in safety, through Baltimore, was 
accomplished in the manner above described. Respectfully, yours, 

N. B. .HDD. 



Letter of William Steams. 

Philadelphia, Penn., Dec. 4th, l^'iT. 

Ai.i.w Pinkkkton, Esq., Chicago, HI.: 

/> w sir: In the early part of January, 1861, I had a conversation 
with M r. Feb on in relation to our road. I was at that time Master Machinist of 
tin- road. We had received some reports thai our mad would be destroyed by 
Southern secessionists, and thus cut Washington oil' from railroad communi 
cation with the North. In conversation witli Col. Bingham, Superintendent 

Adams Expre88, he advised Mr. Felton to sic you in regard to the matter. Mr. 

Felton wrote to you upon the subiecl with a \ieu to securing your services and 
those of your force thai mighl lie deemed advisable, in ascertaining if tin- Beces 

BionistS had any designs upon our road, ami if so, what they were. In the 

meant ime, I wentto Baltimore on several differenl occasions and -till heard these 
reports about the destruction of our road. In the meantime you arrived from 
Chicago with pari of your force which was stationed between Baltimore and 
Bavre De Grace. I learned of two companies being formed, one al Perrymansville 
ami one ai Bell Air, from information which 1 received, I was satisfied thej were 
formed for the purpose of destroying our mad. Mr. Felton and myself met you 
in Baltimore after you became established in that city, and arranged for a cypher 

to be Used between US ill llle I I'a II- 111 i - Moll of 016881 

On the night of Feb. 9th, 1 sent you a letter as follows: " Yours of the 6th 

lust received I am informed that a boh of a distinguished citizen of Maryland 

said thai he had taken an oath with others to assassinate Mr. Lincoln before he 

i \\ ashington, and thej may attempt to do ii w idle he is passing over our 

I think you had better look after this man if possible. This informal ion 

is perfectly reliable. I have nothing more to say at this time. I -hall try and 

.11 in a t'w da • 

< >n Feb. L7th, 1861, I sent a telegram to you requesting you to meel me at the 
p. klent Street Depot, in Baltimore, at l:80p m On the 18th you tclpgraphed 
UK- in reply that you bad bo mucb to say to me thai ii would lake considerable 
time, and asking me If I would not remain over night in Baltimore, as you 

in i. 1 1, d iron, in_\ di ipatcb i ha i ii was my intention to arrive on I h< 1:80 p. in. 



11 

train, and leave on the 5:15 p. m. train. On the 18th of February, I sent you 
another despatch, saying that if we did not get through with our interview I 
would remain over. 

On my arrival at Baltimore at the time specified, you informed me that you 
had received much valuable information, and had learned that my information 
was correct, in regard to the plot to assassinate Mr. Lincoln. And you gave me 
what information you had acquired witli regard to the plot. I felt very solic- 
itous for the safety of Mr. Lincoln ; but there was a delicacy with me in rela- 
tion to the matter, in regard to the action to be taken, inasmuch as the pro- 
gramme of the route of Mr. Lincoln to Washington was published as via 
Northern Central Railroad, from Harrisburg to Baltimore, and that road 
was considered, to some extent, as a competing road to our road from North to 
South. But it was finally concluded that it was best that you should communi- 
cate at once with Mr. Judd, a personal friend of Mr. Lincoln's, upon this subject, 
and that you should see Mr. Felton on the 21st, in Philadelphia. You accord- 
ingly wrote me that you had written Mr. Judd, informing him of the particulars 
of the plot, and had sent it to him, in New York, by a trusty messenger. 

On the 21st of February you met Mr. Felton in Philadelphia, and he informed 
you that he had received from me all the information you had given me while in 
Baltimore. 

On the 22d of February, you met Mr. Felton, my brother George, Mr. 
Kenney and myself at Mr. Felton's office, in the depot at Philadelphia. After 
considerable discussion as to what course to pursue, it was finally determined 
that I should go to Baltimore and make arrangements for the holding of the 
train from there to Washington, should that be necessary, as it had been deter- 
mined ou the night of the 21st by Mr. Lincoln, that he would go to Harrisburg 
on the morning of the 22d and return to Philadelphia on the same night, and 
take our night train from there to Baltimore and thence to Washington. And in 
case that train should be delayed, the Washington train from Baltimore would be 
kept until it arrived, and my brother George was directed to telegraph me from 
Wilmington when the train passed there, as it was deemed unsafe to do so from 
Philadelphia. The arrangement also was that if the train was likely to arrive 
in Baltimore on time I should say nothing to the officers of the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroad about the matter. 

On the night of the 22d of February, 1861, Mr. Kenney and yourself met Mr. 
Lincoln at the West Philadelphia Depot, and took him in a carriage over to the 
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Depot. Mr. Lincoln took a 
berth in the sleeping car, and at 11 p. m. the train left the depot for Washing- 
ton. I met you in our depot at Baltimore, went into the sleeping car and whis- 
pered in your ear, " all is right" which seemed to be welcome news to you — it 
certainly was to me. Mr. Lincoln arrived in Washington without even the 
officers of the train knowing that he was aboard. 

On the arrival of Mr. Lincoln in Washington, I followed him and yourself 
and saw you safely in a carriage bound for Williard's Hotel. 

On the 26th of February, l"met you at the President Street Depot in Balti- 
more, where we talked over what had transpired — the disappointment of the 
secessionists and the failure of their plans to assassinate the President. I then 
informed you that Mr. Felton desired that you should remain in Baltimore or 
Washington, as the case might be, until after the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln. 
And that you should keep Mr. Judd informed of any attempt that might be made 
to assassinate Mr. Lincoln on the day of his inauguration. After such services 
being rendered to the satisfaction of the officers of the Philadelphia, Wilming- 
ton and Baltimore Railroad Company, your bill was paid by the Railroad 
Company. Yours truly, 

WILLIAM STEARNS. 



12 

Letter of U. F. Kenney, Esq. 

Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore R. R. Co.. J 
Philadelphia, Dec. 23d, 1807. ) 

Allan I'inkkkto.n, Esq., Chicago, 111. 

Dea/r Sir: The pressure of my office duties has been such as to place 
it out of my power to reply sooner to your letter of L3th inst., expressing a wish 
for a more detailed statement t ban I gave you in mine of the 10th inst., respect- 
ing the journey of President Lincoln from this city to Washington, on the night 
of Feb. 22d, 1861. 

You and 1 met for the first time on the afternoon of thai day in the office of 
.Mr. 8. M. Pelton, the President of this company. Mr. Pelton, himself, and .Mr. 
William Stearns, Hun Master .Mechanic of this road, being present. These con- 
clusions were arrived at, as to 1 he best arrangements that could be made for get- 
ting President Lincoln to Washington in Buch a way as to defeat the plans which 
were believed to have been matured for the assasination, and to baffle the vigi- 
lance with which his movements were watched by those concerned in that nefa 
rious project. 

The arrangements having been decided upon, I proceeded to carry out the 
portion of them assigned to myself! In bo doing I gave orders to the conductor 
(Mr. John Litzenberg) of the 10:50 p. m. train of that night; not to start his train 
until he had instructions to do so from myself in person. By way of precluding 
surmises as to the reason for this order, Mr. Litzenberg was informed thai he 
would receive from my own hand an important parcel which Presidenl Pelton 
desired should be delivered early in the morning to Mr. E. J. Allen, at Willard's 
Hotel in Washingion. 

Then at a later hour I was to meet you at depot of the Pennsylvania Railroad 
Company, at West Philadelphia, in order to bring Presidenl Lincoln from that 
point to our depot, so timing his arrival at the latter place as to secure, as far as 
possible, against his presence there being noticed. Accordingly, I proceeded to 
the_Wes1 Philadelphia depot, and we mel there at aboul i(> p. m. We had to 
wait but a short time when a special train arrived with but one passenger car 
attached, from which Presidenl Lincoln, with Mr. Ward II. Lamon and a fev< 
other gentlemen, officers of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, alighted. 
Upon their alighting, ] had the honor of being introduced by you to President 
Lincoln, and he, with Mr. I. anion, forthwith gol into the carriage which had 
been provided by you, and the driver of which was placed by you under my 
directions as to his movements, so that these mighl be regulated with a view of 
reaching our depol a few minutes after the regular starting time of our train. 
This required thai we should while awaj time; for the train from Harrisburg 
had arrived considerably earlier than was anticipated. A.ccordingly, after you 
had taken your seal in the carriage with Presidenl Lincoln and Mr. Lamon I took 
mine alongside of the driver, and directing him first down Markel streel as for as 
Nineteenth, t Inn up that street as far as vine street, and tin nee to Seventeenth 
street, reqnested him to proceed down thai streel slowly as if on the loookoul 
ime one, towards our depot. Upon reaching the immediate neighborhood of 
the depot, the carriage was turned into the uearesl cross street, (Carp 
that its occupants mighl alight in the shadow of the yard fence there The Pres 

idenl and Mi. Lamon undi r j guidance then entered the depot and passed 

through to the leeping car, where you had secured berths for them. I followed 
at a -hoit distance, and delivering to the conductor the parcel he was to wail for, 
orders for the train to tarl It was at once pul in motion, the time being 
■ p. in., five minutes after the regular time for starting. 

These are the particulars so far as my agencj was Involved in carrying out 
the programme \ • ry truh yours, 

II I' KL.WI.V 

rintmdent. 



13 

Letter of G. C. Franciscus, Fsq. 

Pennsylvania Railroad Company, 

Office of General Agent, 3003 Market St , 
West Philadelphia, November 5th, 1867. 
Allan riNKERTON, Esq., Chicago, 111. 

Dear Sir : In reply to yours of the 31st ult, I submit the following 
statement : 

On the night of February 21st, 1861, between 11 and 12 o'clock, you called at 
my office, at West Philadelphia, and requested me to accompany you to the Con- 
tinental Hotel. On my way there, yon stated that a plot existed to assassinate 
Mr. Lincoln, whilst on his way through Baltimore, and you desired to arrange 
for a special train to bring him from Harrisburgto Philadelphia, on the following 
night, February 22d, to leave the former place about dark, and arrive here in 
time to take the 11 P. M. train for Washington. 1 replied that it could be done. 
When we reached the Hotel you conducted me to a room where we found Mr. 
Judd and several others. The details of the proposed trip were discussed and 
arranged conditionally. Mr. Lincoln not having fully decided to yield to the 
wishes of his friends, reserved his final decision until morning. 

On the following morning, February 22d, after we had left West Philadelphia, 
with Mr. Lincoln and party, Mr. Judd said to me, "Mr. Frederick Seward arrived 
from Washington, bringing a note from his father and Gen. Scott, the contents of 
which have decided Mr. Lincoln, and the trip will be made as arranged by Mr. 
Pinkerton last night." 

Mr. Enoch Lewis, (our General Superintendent at that time) being on the 
train, 1 informed him of the arrangements made with you, and he joined me in 
perfecting and carrying them out. 

We left Harrisburg, between 5 and 6 P. M., with Mr. Lincoln, and on arrival 
at West Philadelphia found you waiting with a carriage to take him to the 
Baltimore depot. 

In regard to the mode of Mr. Lincoln's leaving the Hotel, at Harrisburg, I 
will state that I called at Coverly's with a carriage, at the hour agreed upon, and 
found him dining with a large company, which it was difficult for him to leave 
without attracting attention. After several unsuccessful attempts he finally 
rose, took Gov. Curtin's arm, and walked out the front hall door, across the pave- 
ment into the carriage, dressed just as he left the table, with the single exception 
of a soft wool hat that he drew from his coat pocket and put on ; he had neither 
cloak, overcoat nor shawl, but as we approached Philadelphia, I gave him my 
overcoat, which he wore until he was seated with you and Mr. Lamon in the 
carriage. 

Referring to your last question, I would say that nothing unusual occurred on 
the trip from Harrisburg to Philadelphia. 

The party in the car consisted of Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Lamon, Mr. Enoch Lewis, 
John Pitcairn, Jr., and myself, 

Yours Respectfully, G. C. FRANCISCUS, 

General Agent Pennsylvania Railroad. 



Letter of Enoch Lewis, Fsq. 

Philadelphia, November 7th, 1867. 
Allan Pinkerton, Esq., Chicago, 111. 

Dear Sir: In reply to your favor of the 31st ult., I would say, that on 
the 21st of February, 1861, I was in Philadelphia in the way of business as 
General Superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad, to arrange for the move- 
ment of Mr. Lincoln, then President elect of the United States, by special train 
from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, on the 22d inst. ; it being understood that he 
was to proceed on the 23d from Harrisburg, by the Northern Central Railroad to 
Baltimore and thence to Washington. On that evening, (the 21st,) I met Mr. 



14 

Judd in Philadelphia by appi intmout, in coi ipany with Mr. G. C. Franciscus, 
Superintendent of the Philadelphia Division, Pennsylvania Railroad, and was 
informed by him thai in consequence of the apprehended dan/ er of the assassina- 
tion of Mr. Lincoln whilst passing through Baltimore, il was desired to change 
bis route to the capitol, and to bring him back privately from Earrisburg to 
Philadelphia, on the evening of the 22d, and to take him by the regular night 
train from Philadelphia to Washington, through Baltimore. I, of course, agreed 
to make any necessary arrangements so t'ai as our road was concerned. On the 
•J'.M of February, I accompanied Mr. Lincoln, in the special train from Philadel- 
phia to Barrisburg; arrangements were quietly made for a special train, ostensibly 
to take the Division Superintendent and myself hack to the city ; it wa6 stationed 
just below the town soon after dark, where I awaited the coming of Mr. Lincoln. 
Early in the evening, Mr. Franciscus broughl Mr. Lincoln, accompanied only by 
Ward II. Lamon, to it. We started, and without interruption readied Phila- 
delphia in time for the night train to Washington. The only persons on the 
train which was run from Harrisburg to Philadelphia, on the evening of the 22d, 
besides the engineer and fireman, were Messrs. Lincoln and Ward H. Lamon, G. 
C. Franciscus, Division Superintendent; John Pitcairn, Jr., in charge of tele- 
graph instrument; T. L. Garrett, General Baggage Agent, and myself When the 
train reached West Philadelphia you met us at the platform and escorted Messrs. 
Lincoln and Lamon to a carriage, into whichlsawyou three get, and drive 
rapidly away in the direction of the Baltimore Depot. 

I saw no change in Mr. Lincoln's costume excepl that during tlie day he wore 
a silk or heaver hat, and in the evening one of soft felt. 

Respectfully, ENOCH LEWIS, 

Formerly Gfen. Sup. Penn. 11. M. 



Letter of John Pita int. Jr., JEsq. 

Philadelphia and Erie Railroad,! 

Superintendent 8 Office, Middle THo. J- 

Renovo, Penn., Nov. -r.<\, 1867. ) 

A I.I, \N PlNKERTON, ESQ. 

D< in- Sir: Your favor of the 9th inst., asking me for a statemenl in 
regard to the passage of Mr. Lincoln from Harrisburg to Philadelphia on the 
night of the 22d of February, 1861, is at hand. I was on the special train which 
conveyed the Presidential party from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, having with me 
a telegraphic instrument in order to connect with the wires should an accident 
occur making il necessary . 

Shortly after the arrival of the train at Harrisburg, Mr. <;. c. Franciscus, 
Superintendent, directed me to proceed with a locomotive and passenger car to a 
road-crossing at t lie low er end of Harrisburg, and there to await his coming. 

About dusk a carriage was driven up and Me rs. G. C. Franciscus, Enoch 

Lewis, Lamon and finally Mr. Lincoln, stepped out and entered the passen 

pen to the engineer, and we were on our waj to Phila- 
delphia. 

The lamps of the ear were nol lighted, and in darkness we went sw iftly along 
until we reached Downiugtown, where we Btopped for water for the locomotive. 

At thi- place all the gentlemen excepting Mr. Lincoln got out of the car 

l"i :i lunch. A CUp of tea and a roll was taken to him in the ear. 

We w< gain on our way to Philadelphia, where we arrived between 

ten and i k\ en o'clock. 

A carriage was found waiting, into which Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Lamon 
Btepped, and were driven rapidh off without attracting the least attention, not 
even the engineer or fireman of the train knowing of the illustrious pa 
they had conveyed from Harrisburg to Philadelphia. 

Mr. Lincoln on this occasion wore a light fell hat and had a gentleman's 
Bhawl thrown over his shoulders when he stepped from the carriage to the car 



15 

at Harrisburg. He did not, however, wear the shawl in stepping out of the car 
at Philadelphia. 

This is all that I know personally in regard to the matter. 

I afterwards learned, however, from Mr. Franciscus that you had an interview 

with Mr. Lincoln at the Continental Hotel the evening previous, and had informed 

him of the probability of his assassination in Baltimore, and after considerable 

difficulty he was persuaded to go to Washington incognito in the manner stated. 

Yours truly, "JOHN PITCAIRN, Jr. 



Letter of Geo. R. Dunn, Esq. 

The New Jersey Express Company, Superintendent's Office, / 

Newark, N. J., November 7th, 1807. \ 
Allan Pinkerton, Esq., Pinkerton's National Police Agency, Chicago, HI. 

My Dear Sir : Your letter of the 31st ult., covering some printed 
extracts from Lossing's History, did not reach me until the evening of the 5th 
inst., owing to my absence on business. 

On reading your letter and the extracts, I was somewhat surprised to see that 
others were trying to take the credit of Mr. Lincoln's trip from Philadelphia to 
Washington, when it does not belong to them. 

My recollection of the facts is perfectly plain, and as facts seem to be much 
wanted, in this matter, 1 will relate them. 

I distinctly recollect that February morning," when you entered my office, 
Chestnut street, near Third, Philadelphia, about 6:30 and said you desired my 
assistance, immediately, in an important matter ; it was imperative that I should 
go to Baltimore in the 8 A. M. train, when at Baltimore to proceed to a given 
place and meet some party to whom I was directed by you. After seeing this 
party, and communicating my business, I was to telegraph you, and return by the 
afternoon train to Philadelphia, and communicate with Mrs. Warne, whom I 
knew by sight, and whom I would find in the ladies' room at the Baltimore 
Depot. In my conversation with Mrs. Warne, whom I met according to agree- 
ment, she told me that you desired me to purchase tickets and sleeping car berths 
for an invalid friend, you and herself, and to make such arrangements for getting 
the party into the car quietly, as quiet was necessary for the invalid — also to stay 
until you arrived. In turning the matter over in my mind, I thought the best 
berths under the circumstances would be the rear ones, so I got the tickets for 
them and made an arrangement with the person in charge of the sleeping car to 
have the rear door opened when I desired. This person's name was Knox. At first 
he declined, but an explanation of the fact that it was forthe accomodation of an 
invalid, who would arrive late, and did not desire to be carried through the nar- 
row passage way of the crowded car, he consented to the arrangement. After 
this was effected, I waited on Mrs. Warne, in the ladies' room, told her what I had 
done, at which she expressed her satisfaction, and requested to be shown to her 
berth in the car, which was done. 

I then took my position on the platform, and waited until yourself and party 
arrived, which you did, about five minutes before eleven. That party consisted of 
Mr. Lincoln, yourself and another, whom, I was subsequently informed was a Mr. 
Lamon. Mr. Lincoln was dressed in an ordinary sack overcoat, felt hat, I think 
they were called Kossuth hats, with a muffler around his throat, and carried a trav- 
eling bag in his hand. So soon as the party were on the train, the cars were 
started. I think the railroad officers who detained that train for the special purpose, 
could bear testimony as to whose instigation the train was delayed, and give 
evidence of your part of the transaction. 

There may be some points that I have left out, but the facts of this letter are 
not to be denied. Respectfully yours, 

GEO. R. DUNN. 



16 

Letter of Gov. Curtin. 

Bellefonte, December 8th, 1867. 
Sir : You ask me in your letter of the 11th of November last to "give 
you a statement of what transpired between yourself and Mr. Lincoln upon the 
night prior to liis leaving Harrisburg, and as to whether Mr. Lincoln was in any 
disguise at the time." 

.Mr. Lincoln arrived in Barrisburg about noon on the 23d of February, 1861, 
and as previously arranged I met him at the entrance of the Jones House, on the 
corner of the Market square of the city. We passed up stairs and then to a bal- 
cony, when he replied to some words of welcome which 1 addressed to him. He 
was then taken in a carriage to the hall of the House of Representatives, when 
he was addressed by the Speaker and made a reply. On our way back to the 
hotel he asked me to dine with him, and after we entered the house communicated 
to me privately the fact that a conspiracy had been discovered to assassinate him 
in Baltimore on his way through that city the next day. 1 remember quite well 
that Mr. Lincoln mentioned your name in connection with information he 
received on the way, and my impression is that he stated he met you in Philadel- 
phia and there received the information from you. He said at the same time that 
definite information had been sent to him from William H. Seward by his son 
Frederick. He then said his friends were anxious thai he should go by way. of 
Philadelphia as privately as possible, and that those who were informed of the 
conspiracy were extremely solicitous that he would not expose himself to the 
threatened danger in Baltimore. Beseemed pained and surprised that a design 
to take his life existed, and although much concerned for his personal safety as 
well as for the peace of the country, he was very calm, and neither in his conver- 
sation or manner exhibited alarm or fear. 

When he hail determined to go to Washington by Philadelphia, and the 

arrangements were made, he put on his overcoat and hat (it was a felt hat such as 
were in common use at that tune) ami taking my arm we passed through the hall 
of the hotel and down stairs to a carriage in waiting at the door. We drove down 
the8treel and by the house in which 1 lived to the train. The halls, stairways 
and pavement in front of the house were much crowded, and no doubl the iinpn s- 
sion prevailed that Mr. Lincoln was going to the Executive Mansion with me. To 

avoid inquiries 1 remained in the house when repeated calls were made bj persons 

who supposed he was there. It was regarded as eminently proper that it should 

not he generally known that Mi-. Lincoln had left Barrisburg, lull he neither 
assumed nor sunn,. .ted any disguise of any kind. 

No doubl the gentlemen who accompanied Mr. Lincoln were privy to all the 
arrangements made in reference to his journey. I had no conversation with any 

of them that ocelli's to me HOW oil the subject. He -a\e llle all the kl)o\\l. 

had, and what was done ed before it occurred. 

Sou thus have substantially the circumstances attending his \ i-.it to Harris 
and his departure for Washington so far as I had anj connection with the 
event Wn respectfully your obedient servant, 

a «; 01 i; ii n. 

Ai. i.a.n POTKEBTON, I 



Letter of II. /'.'. Thayer^ Esq. 

Philadelphi \. Nov. 8d, 1867. 
Ai.i.\n Pxnkbbton, Esq., Principal National Polio \ • tion, Chicago 11L 

/* 8ii ,' I am in receipt of yours of 31st ult., enclosing "Extracts 
from ! [] torj of the War, one ol which i a copy of a letter from John 

A Kennedy, General Superintendent Metropolitan Police, New York, in which 

Mi. K Sdy claim for himself and David 8. Bookstavcr, of the Metropolitan 

d, the honor of havinu prevented the aasa ination of Mr. Lincoln at Haiti 
more in February, 1861. In your letter you requcsl a statement of my connec- 



17 

tion in the matter, and what I know of it, viz : The passage of Mr. Lincoln from 
Harrisburg to Washington via Philadelphia and Baltimore, on the night of Feb. 
22d, 1861. 

In February 1861, I was Manager of the American Telegraph Office in this 
city. On the morning of the 22d of February I was introduced at my office by 
W. P. Westervelt, Superintendent, to Geo. H. Burns, Confidential Agent of E. S. 
Sanford, Esq., President of the American Telegraph Company, who informed me 
that a plot had been discovered in Baltimore to assassinate the President elect on his 
passage through that city, and it had been arranged that Mr. Lincoln should go 
through from Harrisburg to Washington privately on the night of the 22d, and it 
was desired to prevent any possibility of the tact of the President's departure 
from Harrisburg being telegraphed from Harrisburg to Baltimore ; that the telegraph 
wires on the line of the Northern Central Railroad, from Harrisburg to Baltimore, 
should be cut, so as to prevent communication from passing by that route, and 
asked if I had a trusty man to do the work. I replied that I had, and detailed 
Andrew Wynne, my line man, for the service, provided him with a coil of copper 
wire and gave him instructions to attach a ground wire to each of the two line 
wires at the back of a pole, and if possible to cut the line wires and make the 
ground connection on both sides and leaving the line attached to the pole so that 
parties who might he sent out to hunt the difficulty would not discover the trouble 
for some time, at least, until long after Mr. Lincoln should have arrived at Wash- 
ington. 

W. P. Westervelt, Esq., Superintendent, was to accompany Mr. Wynne to 
Harrisburg. They can speak for themselves as to how the w r ork was done. Mr. 
Wynne reported on the 23d having successfully accomplished his mission, having 
cut and grounded both wires. 

On the morning of the 22d, I also promised Mr. Burns that I would myself be 
on duty at my office during the night and until Mr. Lincoln's arrival in Washing- 
ton, to see that no despatches passed over the wires from Harrisburg to Balti- 
more giving information, and also to receive and deliver to the St. Louis Hotel any 
despatches that might come for "J. H. Hutchinson." I was on guard on that 
eventful night all night. Early in the evening a despatch came from Harrisburg 
for " J. H. Hutchinson," I think, from Burns, announcing the departure. No 
despatches came from Harrisburg to Baltimore. 

Early on the morning of the 23d, a despatch was received, announcing the 
arrival of Mr. Lincoln in Washington, and that he was met at the depot by Hon. 
W. H. Seward. I then left the operating room and went home. 

Mr. Burns afterwards informed me that Allan Pinkerton had saved Mr. Lin- 
coln's life, and subsequently introduced me to you as Allan Pinkerton, alias J. H. 
Hutchinson. 

This is the substance of my knowledge of the matter. I have always 
believed, and in fact know, that you took Mr. Lincoln from Philadelphia to Wash- 
ington on that eventful night, and to you is due the honor of having saved the 
life of Mr. Lincoln, and the country its President elect. 

Yours truly, H. E. THAYER. 



Letter of Andrew Wynne, Jisq. 

Philadelphia, Nov. 3d, 1867. 
A. Pinkerton, Esq. 

Dear Sir : Your note of Oct. 31st received, and in reply have to state 
that I am the person who cut the wires between Harrisburg and Baltimore, for 
the purpose of preventing the report of Mr. Lincoln's departure on that occasion. 
The facts of the case are as follows : 

On the morning of February 22d, 1861, I was employed in the office of the 
American Telegraph Company, Philadelphia, and received orders from H. E. 
Thayer, Manager, to hold myself in readiness for important duty in the course of 
an hour. Before that time had expired, Mr. Thayer asked me if I had any objee- 



L8 

to fix the wires of another company so as to prevent any communication 
passing over them, [answered,! would nol in some cases. Mr. Thayer then 
stated that the life of Presideul Lincoln was in great danger, and that he (Mr. 
Thayer) wanted some good man he could depend upon incut the wires between 
Harrisburg and Baltimore. I replied, under that circumstance 1 would. lie then 
gave me orders to proceed to I [arrisburg in the next train in company \\ itli \Y. P. 
Westervelt, Superintendent. We proceeded to Harrisburg witb necessary ton]-., 
fine copper wire, &c. Arriving in Harrisburg. we met Cap:. Burns. We three 
then proceeded to the office of the telegraph company, and I traced the wires 
igh the city and found the wires that were necessary to cut. ('apt. Burns, 
\\ . P. Westervelt and myself walked south of the city about two miles. I then 
climbed the pole and pul fine copper ground wire on wires between Harrisburg 
and Baltimore, which prevented all communication passing over them. 1 then 
returned to telegraph office in Harrisburg and asked the operator there to send a 
message for me to Baltimore — when the operator stated he could not, as ail com- 
munication with Baltimore was cul oil'. I reported the fact to (apt. Burns and 
W. 1*. Westervelt. They thanked me, and requested me to stay in Harrisburg thai 
nighl and return to Philadelphia nexl morning, which 1 did. When 1 returned. J 
met Mr. Thayer. He told me he had been on duty all night so as to prevenl any 
communication passing over the wires of the American Company. I received 
hi- I hank- tor 1 he part which I had taken. 

The foregoing i- a truthful statement of what passed. 

Yours respectfully, 

AND'i;i:\\ WYNNE. 









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